Monaco and Singapore promoting clean urban mobility

Friday, November 9, in the presence of HSH the Sovereign Prince, HE Bernard Fautrier, Minister Plenipotentiary – Vice-President and Managing Director of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Mr. Frédéric Genta, Interministerial Delegate for the Digital Transition and Prof. Subodh Mhaisalkar, Associate Vice President of Nanyang University of Technology (Strategies and Partnerships) and Executive Director of NTU’s Energy Research Institute, have signed a partnership for the development of innovative solutions in the areas of autonomous vehicles , energy efficiency and eco-city design.

The purpose of this tripartite agreement is to respond to the challenges of urban sustainability in both Singapore and Monaco, notably by supporting the Principality’s ambitious goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

On this occasion, HSH the Sovereign Prince, accompanied by the Monegasque delegation, visited the university campus and attended demonstrations of autonomous vehicles at the CETRAN test center, piloted by NTU scientists.

This partnership will provide a platform for research on the use of autonomous vehicles in dense urban traffic conditions and more broadly low-energy construction solutions, green campuses, design and implementation of sustainable cities. Priority action themes for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which is actively fighting against climate change by supporting numerous projects in the field of clean and renewable energies.

This agreement, which is based on a synergy of interests and activities, strengthens the bilateral ties between Monaco and Singapore by enabling both countries to develop and promote the use of autonomous vehicles in similar environments. This will help develop mobility: one of the main axes of the Principality’s digital transition.

[caption id="attachment_20023" align="alignnone" width="959"] Photo: Facebook Lucas Di Grassi[/caption]
At the inaugural Hydro-Québec Montreal ePrix on Sunday, July 30, Monaco resident Lucas Di Grassi claimed the Formula E world title after a “calamitous weekend” for defending champion Sebastien Buemi.
Speaking about the hilly 2.75-kilometre, 14-turn street circuit, Di Grassi, who won the inaugural electric race in Beijing in 2014, commented: “It’s probably one of the best tracks in Formula E history so I think everyone is pleased.”
The Abt Audi driver went into Sunday’s final with a six-point lead after taking 25 points for the win and another three for pole position. Renault's Buemi picked up 12 for finishing fourth.
Having finished third in the first Formula E season and second last year, after being edged out by Buemi, the Brazilian – who turns 33 on August 11 – was in tears having finally reached the number one position of the podium.
The 2017-18 Formula E season, which kicks off on December 2 in Hong Kong, introduces a more compact schedule, including three double-headers and three new venues – Santiago, Sao Paulo and Rome.
This fourth edition of the world’s first fully-electric single-seater racing series comprises the most races to appear on the calendar since its inception in 2014.
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Formula E, said: “It’s exciting news to welcome a number of new host cities on the Formula E calendar, as well as seeing existing locations build on the success of previous events.”
He added, “Formula E is continuing to expand the calendar and the number of cities in key markets, in addition to the growing list of partners and manufacturers joining the electric revolution. Our priority is to consolidate a calendar with long-term agreements with host cities – the schedule for Season 4 is a step in the right direction.”